on a visit to the beach
i discovered three flowers
hidden among the pebbles
on impulse
i chose two
and threw them out into the ocean
sitting on the rocky shore
i watched the waves
as they tossed the flowers
making them appear
then dissappear beneath the water
in due time
one returned to the shore
picking it up
i regarded the ocean
wondering how it had chosen
which to keep
and which to return
then with my treasure
i returned home
leaving the last flower
alone on the shore.

--Karen Damon 1986